Basically, this would implement the ranks 1-30 and A for SeeD operatives only. Your initial rank would come from the quality of your profile (possible ranks 1 through 10), if you started as a SeeD operative. If you started as a candidate, your rank would come from how well you do on the field exam and written exam (1-10 for each, averaged together to get your starting rank). From there, undergoing missions would be the only means of raising your rank.

Each mission would give you a score of 1 through 10; anything over 7 would induce a rank up. This is assuming that you complete the mission parameters.

Finally, it would not be possible to rank down.

I would really like to see a ranking system, because I do think it would give more motivation to roleplay and complete missions well. After all, the higher your rank, the more SeeDs under your command, and the more missions we complete, the more storyline progression we have! (Such as being captured, etc.)

I would also really like a ranking system. Being as my character is a candidate, this would really give a good motivation when taking the two exams needed to become a SeeD. It would add to the realism of the forums. Yay storyline!!

Yes, this sounds like a good idea. It encourages roleplay and involvement as well as is closer to canon. However, my main concern is that the ranks would take awhile to obtain and that would warn away people new to the game. I know that, to me, it seems like a lot.

Yes that might warn away people, but true fans would be happy with it. I know I would be! ^__^ And with no rank downs, that makes it easier to take rl breaks from the forum w/o having to worry about all of your hard work going to waste.